Saturday, March 6, 2010

Some folks may be famous in their own circles, others internationally, but one thing is for sure, Western Massachusetts has contributed its share of personality, genius and talent to the planet, and continues to do so today, to the benefit of all. Here are some of the people who have called Western Massachusetts home...

As I worked on this list, I began to realize that I could keep adding to it indefinitely...there are so many interesting and able souls that hail from Western Massachusetts. I'll keep working on it as time passes, so check back for updates every once in awhile. If you have a suggestion of someone I should add (and I'm certain there are many) or a correction/modification I should make, please leave a comment below. Thanks! ~Mark (Updated October 4, 2010)

What a great list of people! I thought you might be interested to learn of several more famous people with ties to this area. Archibald MacLeish who was a Pulitzer Prize winner and speech writer for JFK lived in Conway MA, Jimmy Sturr the Polka band leader and 18 time Grammy Award winner was born in Springfield MA, Victoria Principal, the actress, lived and attended school in Chicopee while her father was stationed at Westover, and last Eleanor Powell the famous dancer was born in Springfield,MA. Hope you find this interesting! Thanks for your wonderful site.

Very cool list! I think that you are missing the first Purple Heart recipient, then called the Badge of Military Merit, Elijah Churchill, whose grave is in Middlefield MA. Also, Thaddeus Kingsley DeWolf was a MA State Representative and is buried in Chester, MA. His son, Oscar Coleman De Wold, helped clean up Chicago as its health commissioner. Lastly, I can think of David Shepard, a statesman and early proponent of the smallpox vaccination. Thanks for the great post and the amazing research!